B
ritish bungalows have traditionally been associated with a plain and practical image, lacking in glamour and charm. In fact, they were once criticized by Prince Charles as “homogenized boxes” that spoiled the natural beauty of the landscape. However, recent reports indicate a shift in perception, as bungalows are now considered “seriously cool” and in high demand. In fact, their average price has seen a significant increase compared to houses and flats. Could it be that people are finally falling for their boxy yet endearing appeal?
Personally, I can’t help but be a little rude about bungalows, as I currently live in one myself. I bought my first house, a bungalow in Warwickshire, two years ago at the age of 39. Surprisingly, I now find out that they are considered “seriously cool,” although I always suspected they were better than their reputation suggested. Notable enthusiasts of bungalows include Dante Gabriel Rossetti, who lived in one of the first bungalows built in Britain in the hopes that the Kent air would improve his health. Changing Rooms legend Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has also expressed his admiration for bungalows, describing his own as a fragrant haven of suburban bliss.
My fondness for bungalows is shaped partly by a Californian dream that doesn’t quite match the reality of my West Midlands home. When I moved into the bungalow, I envisioned a modernist Palm Springs aesthetic, complete with a sleek car and a sandy garden filled with yuccas. However, the truth is far more modest—a solid 60s-built semi-detached dwelling, a Peugeot 206 in the driveway, and a garden adorned with hydrangeas. I did try to create a palm tree effect with a large cordyline plant, but it unfortunately succumbed to the cold when temperatures dropped to -10C. Not exactly a desert oasis.
What makes bungalows appealing is their open-plan design that still allows for the privacy of closing a door when needed. Unlike the extreme open-plan concept seen in an old episode of Grand Designs, where an entire house had no walls, bungalows strike a balance between openness and functionality. Another aspect I appreciate about bungalow life is having older neighbors—retirees who tend to be friendly, community-minded, and vigilant about package deliveries left on doorsteps.
Estate agents suggest that one reason for the renewed popularity of bungalows is their typically larger gardens. After years of city living with minimal outdoor space, I still can’t believe that I now have a garden that stretches back a considerable distance. And yet, it’s not even considered big by conventional standards. As online mortgage advisers amusingly advised, all I had to do to afford it was give up expensive coffee and trendy brunches. In reality, I had to save for years and relocate more than 100 miles away from the social structure I had built over the course of my adult life. It was a sacrifice that required hard work and determination.
Despite my personal affinity for bungalows, I’m not entirely convinced that they will ever be considered “cool.” This label appears to be a superficial attempt to rebrand the scarcity of affordable housing and rising costs as desirable “downsizing.” More people, including retirees and families, are turning to bungalows because they are smaller and therefore cheaper to maintain. While they may help reduce energy costs, they often come with a higher price tag due to limited supply and increased demand. Unfortunately, developers have focused on building more space-efficient multi-storey houses, leaving the humble bungalow with its unique charm in short supply. Once again, the housing market in the UK proves that there is never enough to meet everyone’s needs.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
